Methods and system for internal shock isolation

ABSTRACT

Methods and systems are disclosed for internal shock isolation in an information handling system. The method includes directing a tool to mold an outer frame of an information handling system, and directing the tool to mold an inner frame of the information handling system. The inner frame has a perimeter less than the perimeter of the outer frame. The method further includes directing the tool to construct a first plurality of braces in an interspatial area. The interspatial area is between the perimeter of the inner frame and the perimeter of the outer frame.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/550,648 filed Nov. 21, 2014, the contents of which is incorporated byreference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to information handling systems and,more particularly, to a system and method for internal shock isolation.

BACKGROUND

As the value and use of information continues to increase, individualsand businesses seek additional ways to process and store information.One option available to users is information handling systems. Aninformation handling system generally processes, compiles, stores,and/or communicates information or data for business, personal, or otherpurposes thereby allowing users to take advantage of the value of theinformation. Because technology and information handling needs andrequirements vary between different users or applications, informationhandling systems may also vary regarding what information is handled,how the information is handled, how much information is processed,stored, or communicated, and how quickly and efficiently the informationmay be processed, stored, or communicated. The variations in informationhandling systems allow for information handling systems to be general orconfigured for a specific user or specific use such as financialtransaction processing, airline reservations, enterprise data storage,or global communications. In addition, information handling systems mayinclude a variety of hardware and software components that may beconfigured to process, store, and communicate information and mayinclude one or more computer systems, data storage systems, andnetworking systems.

Advancements in packaging design have reduced both the weight andthickness of information handling systems. In particular, componentsincluded in portable information handling systems, such as laptops,notebooks, and tablet form factors, are the object of efforts to reduceweight and thickness, without compromising structural strength.Touch-screen displays are rapidly becoming a primary interface between auser and a portable information handling system and often include adisplay and a cover glass. Displays and cover glass are susceptible tobreakage when portable information handling systems drop or fall andimpact another surface, e.g., experience an “impact event.” Upon impact,the cover glass may crack, shatter, or delaminate. Further, otherportions of the information handling system may be dented or otherwisebecome damaged as a result of the impact event.

SUMMARY

In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, a method ofmanufacturing an internal isolation system includes directing a tool tomold an outer frame of an information handling system, and directing thetool to mold an inner frame of the information handling system. Theinner frame has a perimeter less than the perimeter of the outer frame.The method further includes directing the tool to construct a firstplurality of braces in an interspatial area. The interspatial area isbetween the perimeter of the inner frame and the perimeter of the outerframe.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure, aninternal isolation system for an information handling system includes anouter frame of an information handling system and an inner frame of theinformation handling system. The inner frame has a perimeter less thanthe perimeter of the outer frame. The system also includes a firstplurality of braces in an interspatial area. The interspatial area isbetween the perimeter of the inner frame and the perimeter of the outerframe.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the present embodiments and advantagesthereof may be acquired by referring to the following description takenin conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like referencenumbers indicate like features, and wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of an example information handlingsystem in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 illustrates an example portable information handling system withan internal shock isolation system in accordance with some embodimentsof the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 illustrates an example front view of a portable informationhandling system with an internal shock isolation system in accordancewith some embodiments of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 4 illustrates a flowchart of an example manufacturing method for aninternal shock isolation system in a portable information handlingsystem in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, details are set forth by way of example tofacilitate discussion of the disclosed subject matter. It should beapparent to a person of ordinary skill in the field, however, that thedisclosed embodiments are exemplary and not exhaustive of all possibleembodiments.

For purposes of this disclosure, an information handling system mayinclude any instrumentality or aggregate of instrumentalities operableto compute, classify, process, transmit, receive, retrieve, originate,switch, store, display, manifest, detect, record, reproduce, handle, orutilize any form of information, intelligence, or data for business,scientific, control, or other purposes. For example, an informationhandling system may be a personal computer, a network storage resource,or any other suitable device and may vary in size, shape, performance,functionality, and price. The information handling system may includerandom access memory (RAM), one or more processing resources such as acentral processing unit (CPU) or hardware or software control logic,ROM, and/or other types of nonvolatile memory. Additional components ofthe information handling system may include one or more disk drives, oneor more network ports for communicating with external devices as well asvarious input and output (I/O) devices, such as a keyboard, a mouse, anda video display. The information handling system may also include one ormore buses operable to transmit communications between the varioushardware components.

For the purposes of this disclosure, computer-readable media may includeany instrumentality or aggregation of instrumentalities that may retaindata and/or instructions for a period of time. Computer-readable mediamay include, without limitation, storage media such as a direct accessstorage device (e.g., a hard disk drive or floppy disk), a sequentialaccess storage device (e.g., a tape disk drive), compact disk, CD-ROM,DVD, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), electricallyerasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), and/or flash memory; aswell as communications media such wires, optical fibers, microwaves,radio waves, and other electromagnetic and/or optical carriers; and/orany combination of the foregoing.

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of an example information handlingsystem 100 in accordance with some embodiments of the presentdisclosure. Information handling system 100 may generally be operable toreceive data from, and/or transmit data to, other information handlingsystems 100. Information handling system 100 may be a laptop computer, adesktop computer, a tablet computer, a 2-in-1 device, a personal digitalassistant (PDA), a mobile phone, or any similar device. For example,information handling system 100 may be a tablet.

As shown in FIG. 1, components of information handling system 100 mayinclude, but are not limited to, processor subsystem 120, which maycomprise one or more processors, and system bus 121 that communicativelycouples various system components to processor subsystem 120 including,for example, a memory subsystem 130, an I/O subsystem 140, local storageresource 150, and a network interface 160. System bus 121 may representa variety of suitable types of bus structures, e.g., a memory bus, aperipheral bus, or a local bus using various bus architectures inselected embodiments. For example, such architectures may include, butare not limited to, Micro Channel Architecture (MCA) bus, IndustryStandard Architecture (ISA) bus, Enhanced ISA (EISA) bus, PeripheralComponent Interconnect (PCI) bus, PCI-Express bus, HyperTransport (HT)bus, and Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) local bus.

Processor subsystem 120 may comprise a system, device, or apparatusoperable to interpret and/or execute program instructions and/or processdata, and may include a microprocessor, microcontroller, digital signalprocessor (DSP), application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), oranother digital or analog circuitry configured to interpret and/orexecute program instructions and/or process data. In some embodiments,processor subsystem 120 may interpret and/or execute programinstructions and/or process data stored locally (e.g., in memorysubsystem 130 and/or another component of physical hardware 102). In thesame or alternative embodiments, processor subsystem 120 may interpretand/or execute program instructions and/or process data stored remotely(e.g., in network storage resource 170).

Memory subsystem 130 may comprise a system, device, or apparatusoperable to retain and/or retrieve program instructions and/or data fora period of time (e.g., computer-readable media). Memory subsystem 130may comprise random access memory (RAM), electrically erasableprogrammable read-only memory (EEPROM), a PCMCIA card, flash memory,magnetic storage, opto-magnetic storage, and/or a suitable selectionand/or array of volatile or non-volatile memory that retains data afterpower to its associated information handling system, such as system 100,is powered down. Local storage resource 150 may comprisecomputer-readable media (e.g., hard disk drive, floppy disk drive,CD-ROM, and/or other type of rotating storage media, flash memory,EEPROM, and/or another type of solid state storage media) and may begenerally operable to store instructions and/or data. Likewise, networkstorage resource 170 may comprise computer-readable media (e.g., harddisk drive, floppy disk drive, CD-ROM, and/or other type of rotatingstorage media, flash memory, EEPROM, and/or other type of solid statestorage media) and may be generally operable to store instructionsand/or data. In system 100, I/O subsystem 140 may comprise a system,device, or apparatus generally operable to receive and/or transmit datato/from/within system 100. I/O subsystem 140 may represent, for example,a variety of communication interfaces, graphics interfaces, videointerfaces, user input interfaces, and/or peripheral interfaces. Asshown, I/O subsystem 140 may comprise touch panel 142 and displayadapter 144. Touch panel 142 may include circuitry for enabling touchfunctionality in conjunction with display 146 that is driven by displayadapter 144. As shown, display 146 may include a display cover ordisplay glass.

In FIG. 1, network interface 160 may be a suitable system, apparatus, ordevice operable to serve as an interface between information handlingsystem 100 and a network. Network interface 160 may enable informationhandling system 100 to communicate over a network using a suitabletransmission protocol and/or standard. A network may include, or may bea part of, a storage area network (SAN), personal area network (PAN),local area network (LAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), a wide areanetwork (WAN), a wireless local area network (WLAN), a virtual privatenetwork (VPN), an intranet, the Internet or another appropriatearchitecture or system that facilitates the communication of signals,data and/or messages (generally referred to as data).

In some embodiments, information handling system 100 may be a portableinformation handling system, such as a tablet. A portable Informationhandling system may be designed to withstand an impact event, e.g.,dropping or falling. For example, using a portable information handlingsystem in a hospital or educational environment may result in situationswhere the portable system is susceptible to damage due to dropping. Oneapproach to increasing durability of portable information handlingsystems may be to strengthen the enclosure such that the enclosureexperiences the brunt of the impact. For example, a ruggedized notebookor tablet may utilize this approach. However, strengthening theenclosure may not be the most advantageous method for minimizing damageto a portable information handling system during an impact event. Forexample, a corner drop test of a tablet may reveal that, due to therigidity of the enclosure, a tablet bends backwards and puts the coverglass in tension causing the glass to break. Further, during a face droptest of a tablet, the cover glass may delaminate from the rest of theportable information handling system. Moreover, a ruggedized product mayinclude an external case, appear bulky, increase weight, and may not beaesthetically suitable for some applications.

Thus, in some embodiments, a system and method for improved durabilityof a portable information handling system is described. In someembodiments, durability may be improved in the absence of ruggedizedcomponents such as an external case. The present disclosure utilizesmultiple frames, e.g., an inner frame and an outer frame, to allow thedisplay and cover glass to float or be isolated from the shock of theimpact energy. However, the system is rigid such that, during use, auser may not notice the inner frame moving relative to the outer frame.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example portable information handling system 200with an internal shock isolation system in accordance with someembodiments of the present disclosure. Portable information handlingsystem 200 includes outer frame 202, inner frame 204, and interspatialarea 206.

Outer frame 202 may be configured to support and provide structure tocomponents of portable information handling system 200. Outer frame 202may be of any suitable size as needed for the application. Outer frame202 may be constructed of an impact resistant material, such as apolymer or polycarbonate. Outer frame 202 may have a thickness thatprovides the appropriate amount of strength and rigidity. For example,outer frame 202 may be approximately one millimeter (mm) thick.

Inner frame 204 may be configured to fit inside the dimensions of outerframe 202 and allow for interspatial area 206. As such, the perimeter ofinner frame 204 may be less than the perimeter of outer frame 202. Innerframe 204 may include the elements of information handling system 100described above with reference to FIG. 1. For example, inner frame 204may have mounted or configured in it processor subsystem 120, system bus121, memory subsystem 130, I/O subsystem 140, local storage resource150, network interface 160, and/or any other suitable devices utilizedin information handling system 100. Inner frame 204 may be constructedof reinforced plastic, magnesium, or other suitable material. Innerframe 204 may be configured to fit inside the dimensions of outer frame202 while allowing for sufficient thickness for interspatial area 206.

Interspatial area 206 may include a material or structure that allowsinner frame 204 to move relative to outer frame 202 in both the x-axisand y-axis directions. Interspatial area 206 may be a gap that is filledwith air or any other suitable medium, and may include one or multiplebraces 210. Braces 210 may function to absorb the energy by allowing andarresting the movement of inner frame 204 during an impact event. Braces210 may be of any suitable shape and/or orientation. For example, theshape of braces 210 may be substantially circular, oval, quadrilateral,such as a trapezoidal shape as shown in FIG. 2, an I-beam, or any othersuitable shape. Braces 210 may be construed of a material that iscapable of absorbing or dissipating impact energy. A designconsideration may include maximizing the tan delta or loss factor of thematerial to dissipate impact energy perpendicular to the impactdirection into a safer form of energy, such as heat. For example, braces210 may be construed of an elastomeric material, such as VERSAFLEXThermoplastic Elastomer manufactured by PolyOne Corp. (McHenry, Ill.).

In some embodiments, braces 210 may be placed throughout interspatialarea 206. Braces 210 may be configured such that adjacent braces 210 maybe separated by a predefined separation space. In some embodiments, theseparation space may be approximately similar throughout interspatialarea 206. In some embodiments, the separation space may be dissimilarbased on the location in the interspatial area 206 of a particular brace210. For example, in corner areas 212, braces 210 may be more closelyspaced than in side areas 214. Close spacing of braces 210 in cornerareas may improve the ability of portable information handling system200 to remain undamaged when subject to a corner drop or corner impactevent.

In some embodiments, the configuration, dimensions, material properties,and location of braces 210 may be based on design considerationsincluding the environment that portable information handling system 200may be used. Calculations may be performed to determine appropriateconfigurations, dimensions, material properties, and locations forbraces 210. The following exemplary analysis of braces 210 may beperformed in an iterative manner to determine the appropriatecharacteristics. Energy to be dissipated from a drop may be representedby:E _(drop)=mass*gravity*height  (1)

where:

-   -   mass=mass of portable information handling system;    -   height=height of drop; and    -   gravity=9.81 m/s².        As example, the energy generated by a drop (E_(drop)) of an        approximately 0.45 kilogram (kg) tablet from a height of        approximately 2 meters is 8.83 Newton*meters (Nm). Equation (1)        assumes a rigid drop surface.

In some embodiments, the potential energy of braces 210 is designed tobe approximately the energy generated by the drop E_(drop). Treatingbraces 210 as a spring:E _(spring) =K*x ²  (2)

where:

-   -   K=spring constant; and    -   x=displacement of the spring.        Solving for the spring constant:        K _(system) =E _(drop) /x ².        As example, if the distance between inner frame 204 and outer        frame 202, e.g., thickness, t, of interspatial area 206, is set        at approximately 10 mm, then 10 mm is also the maximum        displacement of the spring, x. Thus, K_(system)=8.83 Nm/(0.01        m)²=88300 N/m.

As example, a design may assume that corner area 212 can include 10individual braces 210. Thus, the spring constant for each brace 210 maybe:K _(spring) =K _(system)/10  (3).Further, K_(spring) may also be expressed as:K _(spring)=(E _(dynamic) *l*w)/t

where:

-   -   E_(dynamic)=the dynamic modulus of the elastomer that        constitutes brace 210;    -   l=length of brace 210; and    -   w=width of brace 210.        Solving for E_(dynamic):        E _(dynamic)=(K _(spring) *t)/(l*w)  (4).

As example, the length of brace 210 may be approximately 7 mm and widthmay be approximately 2 mm. Thus, E_(dynamic)=(8830 N/m*0.01 m)/(0.007m*0.002 m)=630,714 Pascals (Pa). Accordingly, the material selected forbraces 210 with the selected geometry may require a dynamic modulus ofapproximately 0.63 MPa. Any parameter of the foregoing exemplaryanalysis may be modified and further calculation may be completed insome embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example front view of portable informationhandling system 200 with an internal shock isolation system inaccordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. Portableinformation handling system 200 may include cover glass 302 and skin304. Cover glass 302 may include one or multiple glass sheets or othersuitable material. Cover glass 302 may be configured to match theexterior dimensions of inner frame 204, discussed with reference to FIG.2. For example, cover glass 302 may have an appropriate size andthickness, such as approximately fifty microns.

Skin 304 may be configured to cover interspatial area 206 and coupleinner frame 204 with outer frame 202. Skin 304 may be constructed of anysuitable material, for example elastomeric material. Skin 304 may serveas a cosmetic surface and provide isolation for face drops or faceimpact events. As such, skin 304 may allow the inner frame 204 to movein the z-axis direction relative to outer frame 202 during a face dropor face impact event.

FIG. 4 illustrates a flowchart of an example manufacturing method 400for an internal shock isolation system in a portable informationhandling system in accordance with some embodiments of the presentdisclosure. The steps of method 400 may be performed by various computerprograms, models or any combination thereof. The programs and models mayinclude instructions stored on a computer-readable medium that areoperable to perform, when executed, one or more of the steps describedbelow. The computer-readable medium may include any system, apparatus ordevice configured to store and/or retrieve programs or instructions suchas a microprocessor, a memory, a disk controller, a compact disc, flashmemory or any other suitable device. The programs and models may beconfigured to direct a processor or other suitable unit to retrieveand/or execute the instructions from the computer-readable medium. Forexample, method 400 may be executed by a manufacturing system and/orother suitable source. For illustrative purposes, method 400 may bedescribed with respect to manufacturing the internal shock isolation ofportable information handling system 200 of FIG. 2; however, method 400may be used for manufacturing an internal shock isolation system of anysuitable configuration.

At step 405, the manufacturing system directs a tool to mold the outerframe. For example, outer frame 202 may be molded from impact resistantmaterial such as LEXAN Resin (polycarbonate). The manufacturing systemmay direct an injection molding tool to mold the outer frame based onfinal dimensions determined for outer frame 202, such as a thickness ofapproximately 1.5 mm or less. The thickness of outer frame 202 may beminimized to allow for energy to be transmitted to braces 210.

At step 410, the manufacturing system directs a tool to mold the innerframe. For example, inner frame 204 may be molded from reinforcedplastic, magnesium, or other suitable material.

At step 415, the manufacturing system directs a tool to construct thebraces. Outer frame 202 and inner frame 204 may be placed into aninjection molding tool. The front of outer frame 202 and inner frame 204may face the cavity side of the injection molding tool. The injectionmolding tool may be closed on both frames and material to constructbraces 210 may be injected. For example, a thermoplastic elastomericmaterial (TPE) may be injected. The material for braces 210 may beinjected based on a design for the configuration, dimensions, materialproperties, and location of braces 210 determined by the use ofEquations (1)-(4) discussed with reference to FIG. 2. Once the materialfor braces 210 (e.g., TPE material) is cooled below the glass transitiontemperature (T_(g)), inner frame 204 and outer frame 206 may be coupledand removed from the injection molding tool. In some embodiments,locking mechanisms may be included in the molding of inner frame 204 andouter frame 202, such that the TPE or other suitable material flowsaround the locking mechanism and creates a mechanical bond.

At step 420, the manufacturing system assembles the portable informationhandling system. For example, the elements described with reference toFIG. 1 may be installed within inner frame 204.

Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to method 400 withoutdeparting from the scope of the present disclosure and invention. Forexample, the order of the steps may be performed in a different mannerthan that described and some steps may be performed at the same time.For example, step 405 and 410 may be performed simultaneously.Additionally, each individual step may include additional steps withoutdeparting from the scope of the present disclosure.

Although the present disclosure and its advantages have been describedin detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutionsand alternations can be made herein without departing from the spiritand scope of the disclosure as defined by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An internal isolation system comprising: an outerframe of an information handling system; an inner frame of theinformation handling system, the inner frame having a perimeter lessthan the perimeter of the outer frame; a first plurality of braces in acorner portion of an interspatial area, the interspatial area betweenthe perimeter of the inner frame and the perimeter of the outer frame;and a skin covering the interspatial area and coupling the inner framewith the outer frame; wherein the first plurality of braces allows theinner frame to move relative to the outer frame in an x-axis directionand in a y-axis direction; and wherein the skin isolates the inner frameand the outer frame in a z-axis direction.
 2. The system of claim 1,wherein the first plurality of braces includes a separation spacebetween adjacent braces.
 3. The system of claim 2, wherein theseparation space between each adjacent brace is approximately equal. 4.The system of claim 1, further comprising a second plurality of braceslocated in a side portion of the interspatial area.
 5. The system ofclaim 4, wherein the first plurality of braces includes a firstseparation space between adjacent braces; the second plurality of bracesincludes a second separation space between adjacent braces, and thefirst separation space is less than the second separation space.
 6. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the first plurality of braces are shaped astrapezoids.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the first plurality ofbraces are shaped as I-beams.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein thefirst plurality of braces are constructed of thermoplastic elastomermaterial.
 9. The system of claim 1, wherein the configuration of thefirst plurality of braces is based on a dynamic modulus.
 10. The systemof claim 1, wherein the interspatial area has a consistent thickness.11. An internal isolation system comprising: an outer frame of aninformation handling system; an inner frame of the information handlingsystem, the inner frame having a perimeter less than the perimeter ofthe outer frame; a first plurality of braces in an interspatial area,the interspatial area between the perimeter of the inner frame and theperimeter of the outer frame; and a component of the informationhandling system assembled in the inner frame; and a skin covering theinterspatial area and coupling the inner frame with the outer frame;wherein the first plurality of braces allows the inner frame to moverelative to the outer frame in an x-axis direction and in a y-axisdirection; and wherein the skin isolates the inner frame and the outerframe in a z-axis direction.
 12. The system of claim 11, wherein thefirst plurality of braces includes a separation space between adjacentbraces.
 13. The system of claim 12, wherein the separation space betweeneach adjacent brace is approximately equal.
 14. The system of claim 11,further comprising a second plurality of braces in the interspatialarea, wherein the first plurality of braces are located in a cornerportion of the interspatial area and the second plurality of braces arelocated in a side portion of the interspatial area.
 15. The system ofclaim 14, wherein the first plurality of braces includes a firstseparation space between adjacent braces; the second plurality of bracesincludes a second separation space between adjacent braces, and thefirst separation space is less than the second separation space.
 16. Thesystem of claim 11, wherein the first plurality of braces are shaped astrapezoids.
 17. The system of claim 11, wherein the first plurality ofbraces are shaped as I-beams.
 18. The system of claim 11, wherein thefirst plurality of braces are constructed of thermoplastic elastomermaterial.
 19. The system of claim 11, wherein the configuration of thefirst plurality of braces is based on a dynamic modulus.
 20. The systemof claim 11, wherein the interspatial area has a consistent thickness.